1. Town of Cape Elizabeth Recycling and Municipal Solid Waste Overview

2. History  Cape Elizabeth affiliated with (RWS) ecomaine in 1976  Cape Elizabeth had an open burning dump until 1978. Demo and brush burned until mid 1980s.  Over the years more and more recycling has been instituted.

3.  No for Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth  Yes for Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, South Portland and Scarborough  Freeport has every resident contract on own Curbside Pickup?

4. Pay Per Bag  Yes for Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland and Windham  No for Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough

5. Residential Recycling per Person (lbs)  Mean for Area Communities: 205  Cape Elizabeth233 114% of the Mean  Falmouth377  Scarborough338  Cumberland 219  South Portland176  Yarmouth208

6. Residential Solid Waste per Person (lbs)  Mean for Area Communities: 462  Cape Elizabeth742 161% of the Mean  Falmouth452  Scarborough579  Cumberland 473  South Portland634  Yarmouth733

7. Residential /Recycling Ratio (hopper/trash truck v. silver bullet)  Mean for Area Communities: 2.26  Cape Elizabeth3.2 141% of the Mean  Falmouth1.2  Scarborough1.7  Cumberland 2.2  South Portland3.6  Yarmouth3.5

8. Cape Elizabeth Costs ecomaine Materials  Solid Waste: $160 per ton plus $20.00 per ton transportation= $180.00 per ton $589,500  Recycling: $0 per ton plus $38 per ton transportation= $38 per ton $39,064 Recycling Saves 79% of Disposal Costs on a Per Ton Basis

9. Progress in 2007-2008  Municipal solid waste decreased by 10% or 346 tons. Regional average was an 8.4% drop  Recycling increased 35% or 267 tons. The regional average was 10%.

10. New Steps being Taken  New trash and recycling dumpsters for the High School and the Middle School/Pond Cove and commercial pickup of these bins  New dumpsters at the Recycling Center for bulky wastes; sofas, chairs, carpets etc.

11. Analysis of Curbside Pickup – Waste and Recyclables  Private contractor would cost $468,000 per year for weekly pickup of 3,600 households. $2.50 per week per household.  Town would save $118,000 in reduced tonnage. (20%)  Town would save $50,000 in reduced Refuse Disposal Area operating costs and $25,000 in silver bullet hauling  Net added cost is $275,000  Estimated gasoline savings of individual residents is $ 263,000

12. Analysis of Pay Per Throw  Falmouth has pay per bag assume most of its costs for hauling and for disposal fees at $1.50 for a smaller bag and $2.08 for a larger bag.  Cumberland charges $1.50 per bag. Portland charges $1.50 for 30 gallon bag and $.75 for 15 gallon bag.  Gorham is at $1.00 for a smaller bag and $2.00 for a larger bag. Windham@ $2.50 for 30 gal. bag  Assumption: Cape Elizabeth @ $2.00 for 30 gallon bag.

13. Analysis of Pay Per Bag  $2.00 per bag at 50 bags per household is $100 per year.  With 3600 households, income is $324,000 per year.  Net savings from 655 fewer tons of solid waste is $91,700.  Town budget savings is $415,700 or $115 per household. Savings dependent on property valuation.  Property taxes are deductible and pay per throw fees are not.  Savings, if any, to average household = negligible.

14. Why does Cape Elizabeth have 61% more residential non-recycled waste per resident than the average in the area? It is important to reduce weight! We pay by tonnage. It is important to ensure that material is locally generated.

15. Discussion of Alternatives  Curbside pickup  Pay per throw  Elimination of commercial haulers using transfer station hopper  Mandate recycling and better enforcement at recycling center  Citizen assistance at recycling center

16. Other Issues  Use of demolition disposal area  Potential conversion of swap shop to attended donation center (Goodwill?)  Impact of any change on bottle redemption center  Other issues?